The Merry-Go-Round

by Rainer Maria Rilke

Under the roof and the roof’s shadow turnsthis train of painted horses for a whilein this bright land that lingersbefore it perishes. In what brave stylethey prance – though some pull wagons.

And there burnsa wicked lion red with anger…

and now and then A big white elephant.

Even a stag runs here, as in the wood,

save that he bears a saddle where, upright,

a little girl in blue sits, buckled tight.

And on the lion whitely rides a youngboy who clings with little sweaty hands,the while the lion shows his teeth and tongue.

And now and then a big white elephant.

And on the horses swiftly going byare shining girls who have outgrown this play;

in the middle of the flight they let their eyesglance here and there and near and far away -

and now and then a big white elephant.

And all this hurries toward the end, so fast,whirling futilely, evermore the same.

A flash of red, of green, of gray, goes past,

and then a little scarce-begun profile.

And oftentimes a blissful dazzling smile

vanishes in this blind and breathless game.